At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead retail operations, manage product launches, and enhance customer experience.
- Company: Join a fast-growing BCorp consumer brand in London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, EMI, hybrid work, and growth opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with exposure to all aspects of commercial operations.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting growth journey and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial or retail operations with a collaborative mindset.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 65000 £ per year.
We're partnering with one of the UK's fastest-growing challenger consumer brands to appoint a Commercial Operations Manager as they continue an exciting period of growth. Over the last 18 months, the business has experienced exceptional and unparalleled success, significantly expanding its retail footprint, product portfolio and customer base. As a result, this is no longer a traditional retail operations role; it's a pivotal commercial position sitting at the heart of the business.
Working alongside Sales, Supply Chain and the wider Commercial team, you'll become the operational voice of Retail, ensuring products launch successfully, customers receive exceptional service and commercial opportunities are executed brilliantly.
If you're someone who enjoys pace, ambiguity and solving problems before anyone else even knows they exist, we'd love to hear from you.
The Opportunity
This is a genuinely cross-functional role where no two days are the same. One day you could be supporting a major product launch into a key retailer. The next you'll be working with Sales, Supply Chain and Logistics to resolve availability challenges, improve processes or ensure promotional activity lands flawlessly. You'll need to be equally comfortable analysing data, influencing stakeholders and rolling your sleeves up to make things happen.
What You'll Be Doing
- Become the operational lead for the Retail function across key UK customers.
- Partner closely with Sales, Supply Chain, Demand Planning and Customer Service to deliver exceptional customer execution.
- Manage retailer launches, promotional activity and ongoing operational performance.
- Monitor availability, inventory and order fulfilment, proactively identifying risks before they become issues.
- Lead cross-functional projects that improve customer experience and operational efficiency.
- Act as the key point of contact for retail operational challenges, coordinating solutions across multiple departments.
- Drive continuous improvement whilst remaining agile in a fast-changing environment.
- Support and develop a growing team as the function continues to evolve.
Who We're Looking For
We're far more interested in mindset than job title. You'll probably have experience within:
- Commercial Operations
- Customer Operations
- Customer Supply
- Retail Operations
- Supply Chain
- Demand Planning
But most importantly, you'll have worked closely alongside commercial teams and understand what it takes to support retail customers in a fast-moving environment. You'll likely come from an FMCG, food, drinks or consumer goods business where speed, collaboration and customer focus are everything.
You’ll Thrive If You...
- Love working in fast-growing businesses where priorities evolve quickly.
- Enjoy solving problems and taking ownership.
- Are confident influencing stakeholders across different functions.
- Stay calm under pressure and embrace ambiguity.
- Can balance commercial thinking with operational excellence.
- Naturally build relationships and aren't afraid to challenge constructively when needed.
- Want to be part of building something rather than simply maintaining processes.
Why Join?
This is a rare opportunity to join a business at a genuinely exciting stage of growth. You'll work directly alongside an ambitious leadership team, have the freedom to shape how the function develops and gain exposure to every part of the commercial operation. If you're looking for a role where you'll learn quickly, make a visible impact and accelerate your career within one of the UK's most exciting challenger brands, we'd love to hear from you.
Commercial Operations Manager - Retail - Fastest growing SME in the market in Slough employer: ECW Search
Join a dynamic and innovative team at one of the UK's fastest-growing consumer brands, where you'll play a crucial role in shaping the future of retail operations. With a hybrid working model based in London, you will enjoy a collaborative work culture that values agility and continuous improvement, alongside competitive benefits including EMI options. This is an exceptional opportunity for personal and professional growth, allowing you to make a tangible impact in a thriving scale-up environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Operations Manager - Retail - Fastest growing SME in the market in Slough
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like ECW Search, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like ECW Search!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Operations Manager - Retail - Fastest growing SME in the market in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at ECW Search, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at ECW Search and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show ECW Search that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at ECW Search
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
